Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T08:08:53.007Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Ethical Aspects of Infection Control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Loreen A. Herwaldt*
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology, and Health Services Research, University of Iowa College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa

Abstract

This article describes ethical dilemmas faced routinely by infection control personnel and outlines the basic principles of ethics as applied to the practice of infection control and hospital epidemiology.

Type
Practical Healthcare Epidemiology
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References

1. Jonsen, AR. Do no harm. Ann Intern Med 1978;88:827832.10.7326/0003-4819-88-6-827Google Scholar
2. Last, JM. Ethical issues in public health. In: Public Health and Human Ecology. East Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange; 1987:351370.Google Scholar
3. IEA Workshop on Ethics. Health policy and epidemiology: IEA guidelines on ethics for epidemiologists. American Public Health Association 1991 Section Newsletter; Epidemiology 1990:Winter.Google Scholar
4. Beauchamp, TL, Childress, JF. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1983.Google Scholar
5. Soskolne, CL. Epidemiology: questions of science, ethics, morality, and law. Am J Epidemiol 1989;129:118.10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a115098CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Herman, AA, Soskolne, CL, Malcoe, L, Lilienfeld, DE. Guidelines on ethics for epidemiologists. Int J Epidemiol 1991;20:571572. Letter.Google Scholar
7. Beauchamp, TL, Cook, RR, Fayerweather, WE, et al. Appendix: ethical guidelines for epidemiologists. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):151S169S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90192-CGoogle Scholar
8. Perkins, HS, Jonsen, AR. Conflicting duties to patients: the case of a sexually active hepatitis B carrier. Ann Intern Med 1981;94:523530.Google Scholar
9. Soskolne, CL. Ethical decision-making in epidemiology: the case study approach. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):125S130S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90187-EGoogle Scholar
10. Diehl, WE. The Monday Connection: A Spirituality of Competence, Affirmation, and Support in the Workplace. New York, NY: Harper Collins; 1991:85135.Google Scholar
11. Toffler, BL. When the signal is ‘move it or lose it.’ The New York Times. 11 17, 1991:F13.Google Scholar

Appendix

1. Childress, JF. Hospital-acquired infections: some ethical issues. In: Wenzel, RP, ed. Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Infections. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1987:4955.Google Scholar
2. Chavigny, KH, Helm, A. Ethical dilemmas and the practice of infection control. Law Med Health Care 1982;10:168-171, 174.10.1111/j.1748-720X.1982.tb01707.xGoogle Scholar
3. Cook, RR. Code of ethics for epidemiologists. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):135S139S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90189-GCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Feinleib, M. The epidemiologist's responsibilities to study participants. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):73S79S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90179-DGoogle Scholar
5. Feinstein, AR. Scientific paradigms and ethical problems in epidemiologic research. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):119S123S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90186-DCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Gordis, L. Ethical and professional issues in the changing practice of epidemiology. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):9S13S.Google Scholar
7. Hogue, CJ. Ethical issues in sharing epidemiologic data. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):103S107S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90183-AGoogle Scholar
8. Last, JM. Obligations and responsibilities of epidemiologists to research subjects. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):95S101S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90182-9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. MacMahon, B. A code of ethical conduct for epidemiologists? J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):147S149S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90191-BGoogle Scholar
10. Sandman, PM. Emerging communication responsibilities of epidemiologists. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):41S50S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90174-8Google Scholar
11. Schulte, PA. Ethical issues in the communication of results. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):57S61S.Google Scholar
12. Stolley, PD. Ethical issues involving conflicts of interest for epidemiologic investigators. A report of the Committee on Ethical Guidelines of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):23S24S.Google Scholar
13. Tancredi, L, ed. Ethical Issues in Epidemiologic Research, Vol.7 New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press; 1986.Google Scholar
14. Weed, DL. The merger of bioethics and epidemiology. J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(suppl 1):15S22S.10.1016/0895-4356(91)90169-AGoogle Scholar
15. Waters, WE. Ethics and epidemiological research. Int J Epidemiol 1985;14:4851.10.1093/ije/14.1.48Google Scholar